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National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang
By Racquel Porter
Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang has again brushed aside the call for the full implementation of body-worn cameras by the security forces, stating that it is of "very little value".
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) repeated the call last Friday as it presented its second quarterly report for 2024.
INDECOM says police-related fatalities have reached alarming levels, noting that of the 252 shooting incidents this year, none of them involved an activated body-worn camera.
Pointing out that many police officers wear cameras, Dr. Chang said the primary benefit is in public order. It is why he said mostly members of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) wear the cameras.
But he claimed that the cameras are "of very little value" in situations where members of the security forces are in combat and are being shot at.
"If you get in combat with a camera on your chest, first of all you're going to dive because you are being shot at. And the JDF has used them before... [and] they fell off, they got knocked off are they are of very little value in those situations," he argued.
Still, Dr. Chang accepted the comments from INDECOM, saying he will be meeting with the leadership to have further discussions.
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